Immediately after restraining a violent patient, the EMT should:

• A. Reassess the patient's airway and breathing.
• B. Inform medical control of the situation.
• C. Advise the patient why restraint was needed.
• D. Document the time the restraints were applied.

Answer: (A)

Airway and breathing assessment must come first after restraining a violent patient. Restraints can inadvertently restrict chest expansion, cause positional issues, or lead to airway obstruction as the patient fights to breathe or becomes exhausted. Quickly checking respiratory rate and effort, ensuring the airway is open, listening to lung sounds, and looking for signs of hypoxia helps you identify and address life-threatening problems right away. If needed, you should suction secretions, adjust the patient’s position to improve ventilation, and provide oxygen or advanced airway support per protocol.

Informing medical control, while important, isn’t the immediate action you take when you’re focused on stabilization. Explaining to the patient why restraint was needed isn’t appropriate during an acutely violent situation. Documenting the time restraints were applied matters for the run report, but it should come after you’ve ensured the patient’s airway and breathing are secure.